Fresh Ideas
Posted by rock99rock,
After nearly a year, I am back to write about some Fresh Ideas that have been submitted to LEGO Ideas over the past few months.
Wright Flyer
I am a fan of anything aeronautical. If you then throw in the history of this airplane, and the fact that it is constructed of LEGO, well sign me up for a boarding pass!
I'm aware of the Advanced Models version of this 10124-1 Wright Flyer from many years ago, and I still think there is a market for it. A smaller, minifig scaled version would be a welcome addition for any collector. The details are aplenty for the scale, and the launcher/rail system ties the scene together.
This could be a play set, or be just as nice set up in a display for admiration. The history, play-ability, and low part count could make this a great seller for LEGO as well as a fantastic set for us consumers.
- PROS: Mass appeal, play-ability, historical, affordability.
- CONS: Produced in 2003 in a larger scale
Ancient Chinese Temple
The stunning level of detail and the unmistakable trademark architecture has earned this Temple a spot on this article.
Though it looks similar in size, this is not being marketed as "modular" even though the roof can be removed exposing the interior. The tiled roof has an exceptional randomness in the use of colored tiles, and the angles in which they are used replicate the traditional roofs in Asian architecture. The use of flora is very well done, and adds to the detailed scene as a whole without overdoing it.
This set may not immediately look like it has the play-ability factor, but I can imagine many fun scenes that this Temple would lend itself to.
- PROS: Iconic architecture, green space, manageable size.
- CONS: Might not fit within a current theme
Trailer Home
Rusty car in the front yard of the single-wide, and satellite TV! This trailer home captures a scene so very detailed.
The dusty 32x32 plot of land is adorned by a 640 part count single wide trailer, which is very detailed inside and out. The designer states "The yard features a classic automobile which can be used as bonus storage space or an inefficient greenhouse for your wild plants, and if you don't like it, tough, because we aint moving it." I like the cut of his jib... more on him later.
The rendering depicts the trailer in its natural habitat, adorned by its many supporting characters making this scene an instant classic.
- PROS: Great details with small part count.
- CONS: Might not fit within a current theme.
Life-sized Human Skull with Movable Jaw
Is this spooky? Maybe. Is it cool? Absolutely. The recreation of a human skull in LEGO form has been accomplished in such amazing detail by designer RichterMat.
This model has a few education possibilities, though not as many as a real human skull that can show the finer details of the bones. This 1200 piece set would look amazing as a display piece. As long as it's not looking at me while I sleep, I'd totally sport this skull in my collection. The designer took cues from some of the comments and designed an unobtrusive stand for the model, and it looks like it works quite well.
As the Velocirapter skull never took off from a previous Fresh Ideas article, I really want this one to succeed. It is well built, the details are exquisite, and the piece count makes it a possibility should LEGO stay true to the Saturn V rocket project that was just approved.
- PROS: Great job capturing the shape of the skull
- CONS: Spooky! Too macabre for some
Featured Designer - pix027
pix027 has been featured previously, for both his iconic Teal Chevrolet Bel Air, and the Trailer Park above. He has a certain style when building LEGO, and it comes through in all of his models. While designing LEGO cars appears to be his forte, he has recently submitted a few buildings that are gaining traction. His Firetruck is one of my favorite iterations on all of Ideas. Give them a gander and throw some support his way should you see fit.
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26 comments on this article
"CONS: Produced in 2013 in a larger scale"
I assume you meant 2003 ; )
Those are great! Man that skull would make a sweet display piece!
It's just amazing how artistic people are, and how they build things.
Will there be a brick built Hamlet (preferably Olivier) to go with the skull?
As much as I love the skull, being someone studying biology, I highly doubt Lego would produce it. Then again, they made Big Bang Theory, which I found pretty shocking.
Ancient Chinese Temple, huh?
Wright's Flyer looks like it could make a decent set. Others not so much, especially the skull.
Love these but the Temple is getting my vote.
If that skull becomes a set, I hope it's easy to put lights in the eyes. I want a Lego version of Bob from Dresden Files.
There's something about the trailer home that I find very appealing. Maybe it's the colours used.
well, the sets are perfect... but some of them are questionable... why have a lego skull as a set? i mean... seriously!?!?!
"Why not have a LEGO skull set?" Is a better question.
@mrlegoguy1200 - Whoops! Good catch. I have edited the article. Thanks!
*raises eyebrow* A skull? I think that, personally, Nathan Sawaya's skulls look better... and yes, I've seen them in person.
The Asian architecture looks beautiful, but I'm pretty sure something very similar got rejected already.
The Chinese Temple would be seen as possibly undermining the Ninjago Temple Airjitsu, so it would be rejected rather quickly. Unfortunate because it would be much more affordable.
@J0rgen, Alas, poor YoBrick...
While the skull is cool, I have a feeling that TLG would find it too morbid.
I love these articles. I've stopped looking at the Ideas website apart from when these articles pop up. Keep em coming!
All of these ideas are great but the greatest ones are the trailer home and diner. I really need to throw my support behind pix027.
LOVE, LOVE , LOVE THE Trailer home and the Diner!
Great picks but you missed Samurai Code. https://ideas.lego.com/projects/142449
A lot of projects on Ideas are awesome MOCs that are fantastic in LEGO exhibitions but a lot of them are too detailed / complicated to be considered as sets.
^I agree with this.
I agree with Zander about the skull being too morbid. As soon as I saw the picture, I thought it was far too creepy for me, let alone a kid.
Love the Skull. It's not creepy, it's anatomical. Always thought a full skeleton with organs would be an interesting if challenging build.
clear bricks for the skull and color inside and make it modular to reveal what's inside it will be a great 3D learning. Or make it silver bricks for the T fans. Fun. fun fun..
lol at people saying a skull is "too morbid"
uhm, guys? Lego has: Zombies, Skeletons, Pirates, Ghosts, Voldemort, Snakes, Spiders, Swords, Guns, an "angry looking" skeleton and this: http://media-cache-ec0.pinimg.com/736x/00/7b/45/007b4539fe38fefaf55736966d2aba40.jpg
A skull is not "too morbid"